Monday, July 29, 2013

networking tips/ tough questions/ buy outs

Jul. 18:

Networking tips: I found this in my email.  In Sept. 2012, Hire Ground sent me this newsletter:
  1. Networking is about building relationships: it’s not just about how the other person can help you, but what you can do for them. Don’t start the conversation by requesting help or talking about your needs – listen to what they have to say.
  2. Don’t think of anyone as irrelevant – everyone has a skill, experience or connection that could be meaningful to you. Networking does not have to be with senior people in your industry, connect with a range of people.
  3. Volunteering at events or on a committee is a great way to grow your network.
  4. Be genuine. Don’t be stressed about the perfect thing to say, relax and understand that the primary goal is simply to make a connection. Be friendly and helpful: find a common interest and recommend a book, movie, music or restaurant they might enjoy.
  5. Start with people you know. This is especially helpful if you are not comfortable making conversation with strangers. Networking with people you know will build confidence and they can introduce you to others.
Tough questions: Here's another short article from it:

What is a decision you made that was a failure? What happened and why?
 This is asking you to share something negative you’ve done, always a hard thing to do when you are trying to be the model employee. Don’t ever try and laugh the question off and say you never make wrong decisions, take this question seriously.
 
If possible, give an example that is a small error and as removed from the type of work you are applying for as possible. Never admit a personal weakness that led to the failure, such as laziness, procrastination or forgetfulness and never try to pass the blame onto a former co-worker or boss. Instead, give an honest example but follow it up with how you fixed the problem and learned from the mistake. Always end with something positive about how you handled the situation.

I also got a Hire Ground Jul. 2013 newsletter:

Why do you think you will be successful at this job?

One, say you are serious about this job, and how you will be there for a long time.  Two, talk about how you are a good fit for the job like how it relates to your skills and experience.


Work hours: This is a little infographic that shows how much self- employed and employed people work.  It looks like men work more hours than women do.


Format your resume:

1. Have 2 versions.  One is your resume and the other is the application.
2. Have your contact information in a standard order.
3. Clearly label the different sections with standard titles: Skills, Work Experience, Employment History, Summary, Objective Statement, Education and Interests are all good terms to use.
4. Do not put any important information in the header and footer sections

http://www.hiregroundsoftware.com/blog/technology/how-to-format-your-resume-for-online-systems/

Jul. 19 Tilted Kilt: Have you guys ever heard of this restaurant before?  A few weeks, one of my friends at work showed me a pic of one of our old servers who now works there.  It's like Hooters.  The waitresses wear short kilts and show off their midriffs.  The restaurant
reviews are mediocre if you go on Google.
http://www.tiltedkilt.com/locations/edmonton/

Jul. 20 Move for work: I was talking to one of my friends, and her brother was going to go the US to work.  He was preparing and actually flew there once already.  He and his family were packing, and then the job didn't go through.  Moving for work is a lot of effort.  Moving is
a lot of effort.  No one in my immediate family or distant family has really moved for work or school.

Bayshore Inn: Have you guys ever heard of this place?  I was looking in the Edmonton Journal Classifieds and they said they were hiring.  It's way in southern Alberta.  It says housing and meals provided.  So I assume no money will be spent on rent or groceries.  It's the hospitality industry, so you can get tips on top of base wages.  They are hiring servers and cooks.

Jul. 21: I must be a writer, because I was thinking: "What if I did move there to work there?  I could write a blog about my adventures where I live and work in a hotel.  Then again, I kind of already have that job of working at a restaurant.

Jul. 22 Reasons to get fired: I was listening to my sister talking to dad.  Here are the reasons to get fired:

1. Absenteeism
2. Misconduct
3. Performance

It reminds me of that time at my job, where 3 bussers didn't show up.  My manager said he was going to write them all up.  However, one showed up an hr late because she overslept and set the alarm for PM instead of AM.  She didn't get written up,but then she quit a couple of weeks later.  Another came and was an hr late too.  Another didn't show up.

Buy outs: I'm sure all of you heard of Sobeys buying Safeway.  When I read that, I was like: "One big grocery store buying another."

Then it's Loblaw buying Shoppers Drug Mart for $12.4 billion dollars.  On a side note, I was at Shoppers in City Centre mall last week, and they were selling Pocky Sticks.  Those used to be only sold in Chinatown and T&T Supermarkets.

Staples: I was reading in the Edmonton Journal that the Staples by City Centre mall is closing down to make room for the arena.  There is a Staples at Oliver Square and everything is being moved there.  I went to the downtown one to recycle some batteries, but the green boxes are gone.  The sales guy said the green boxes moved to the Oliver Square.

Business magazines: My sister was cleaning her room and she gave my dad some business magazines.  I also checked it out:

Inc Magazine: "It's small business ideas and resources for entrepreneurs."  It's about running a business, technology, sales and marketing,
etc.

http://www.inc.com/

Harvard Business Review: This has more about the magazine, blog, books, courses, webinar, etc.  This is more interactive instead of reading business articles.  I did listen and watch this video "The 2 min. game that reveals how people perceive you."  It talks about how
people who play this game are about avoiding asking about race.  If you ask about race, it will look like race matters to you, and you will look racist.

Forward thinking companies will openly acknowledge race and ethnic differences.  If you don't talk about race, it will impede communication.

http://blogs.hbr.org/hbr/hbreditors/2013/07/the_two_minute_game_that_reveals_how_people_perceive_you.html

Money Sense:
This magazine is more about using money in your daily life.  Planning, investing, saving, etc.
http://www.moneysense.ca/

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